RAD+ar Office: An Absolute Entity of Adaptive Architectural Marvel

Designing an adaptive building in a tropical climate, while holding to existing tropical architecture codes, poses a formidable challenge for architects. Situated in West Jakarta, Indonesia, the RAD+ar headquarters defies conventional tropical norms by designing a green concrete roof oriented to the east and west which allows the building to naturally adapt to the ever-changing climate conditions. 

RAD+ar office by RAD+ar architects (cr: William Sutanto) 

Unlike typical tropical buildings with a maximum width of 12 meters to optimize natural light, this office is designed with an 18-meter width and high ceiling to maximize daylight. Embracing an open-concept design, the rooms are strategically arranged based on functionality. The first level hosts meeting and coffee areas, seamlessly connecting to the outdoor communal space, while the second level features working spaces that stand side by side with the principal room, completed with a mezzanine for additional functionality.

The cozy and warm ambiance at the working space of RAD+ar office (cr: William Sutanto) 

The pleasing outdoor communal space of the RAD+ar office (cr: William Sutanto) 

The roof, covering the rooms below, incorporates a steep angle adorned with greenery to enhance water absorption. This absorbed water is then recycled for site irrigation. Despite its eastward orientation, the presence of this green roof reduces interior temperatures by up to 5 degrees Celsius, fostering a cool and refreshing working environment. On the west side, the roof is designed using clay roof tiles and glass to minimize trapped hot air, complemented by strategically placed trees to filter sunlight before entering the building.

A unique roof design that adapts to the ever-changing climate conditions (cr: William Sutanto) 

The steep-angle green roof becomes a new living space for all living things, including animals (cr: William Sutanto) 

In order to reduce artificial lighting consumption, glass block materials, and glass adorn selected walls to invite abundant light into the interior. Additionally, the cube-shaped windows are placed on the east side roof to flood the interior with daylight.  

The dark grey tones dominating the walls and furniture create a cool and intimate working space (cr: William Sutanto) 

These glass elements combine perfectly with the color shade and furniture materials inside. The dark grey tones dominating the walls and furniture create a cool, intimate working space. The concrete and granite floor materials further contribute to the comfortable ambiance. The synergistic integration of roof design, layout, and materials establishes the RAD+ar office as a triumph in crafting a passive adaptive building in tropical climate conditions. 

RAD+ar office, a passive adaptive building in tropical climate conditions (cr: William Sutanto) 

First floor plan of RAD+ar Office (cr: RAD+ar architects) 

Second floor plan of RAD+ar Office (cr: RAD+ar architects) 

Mezzanine plan of RAD+ar Office (cr: RAD+ar architects) 

Section detail of RAD+ar Office (cr: RAD+ar architects)